Domestic abuse shows up at work
As women have come to make up an increasing percentage of the workforce in the past decades, one of the ugliest and most brutal problems of the home has become a major workplace issue as 20,000 workers are subjected to domestic violence and threats at work each year. While most employers simply fire workers whose abusers cause trouble at their workplace to prevent their victims from achieving financial independence, the possibility of legal liability for failing to provide a safe workplace or discriminating against victims, is leading a growing number of companies to take help victimized employees. Among the programs being implemented by some companies are training to help managers identify and deal with victims, sensitivity and awareness programs for employees, flexible work schedules and performance evaluations, increased general security, and special personalized security precautions and assistance for known victims.